Multilayered Materials With Color Changing Properties

ABSTRACT

Described are articles of wear including with a material with color changing properties. The material includes at least one elastic portion having an unstretched colored appearance and a stretched colored appearance. The material also includes at least one fixed portion having the stretched colored appearance regardless of a magnitude of an external force applied to the at least one fixed portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to articles of wear formed usingmultilayered materials with color changing properties.

BACKGROUND

The concept of providing materials that change color in a stretchedcondition is well-known. For example, U.S. Publication No. 2006/0246802describes the use of color change laminate materials that include atleast two layers of extensible materials that indicate a stretched stateby exposing the previously covered coloration of a lower layer through aplurality of slit openings in the upper layer that open when thematerial is stretched. The color change is used to provide a means ofsignaling extension and/or levels of extension by a distinctive visualcue for medical applications.

Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 7,704,589 describes an absorbent article havinga built-in size indicator, wherein the size indicator is a stretchablepanel that changes color when stretched.

U.S. Publication No. 2013/0251962 describes a color change compressionfabric having an elastic material with one color in an unstretchedcondition that changes to a different color when stretched. The coveringlayer comprises a covering yarn that is wrapped a number of turns aboutan elastic yarn having a different color than the covering yarn. Whenthe fabric is stretched, the turns of the covering yarn move apart toexpose the elastic yarn underneath.

As described above, the color change occurs by allowing the lower layerto become visible through openings in the upper layer. In contrast, theuse of an intermediate layer that blocks visibility of the lower layerwhen the material is stretched and allows the coloration of the lowerlayer to combine with the coloration of the top layer when the materialis unstretched may provide the opposite effect. Furthermore, the priorart describes use of color changing materials to indicate when too muchpressure or stretch has been applied, which is not possible should thematerial become permanently deformed or stretched.

As a result, it may be desirable to form an article of wear from a colorchanging material that is designed to block the visibility of a lowerlayer when stretched to achieve a color changing effect in the stretchedregions of the material. It may also be desirable to form an article ofwear from a color changing material to achieve an aesthetically pleasinglook by permanently deforming the color changing material in areas thatdo not receive enough stretch during normal use to change color. It mayalso be desirable to form an article of wear from a color changingmaterial to achieve an aesthetically pleasing look by permanentlydeforming the color changing material in areas where visual cues are notneeded to indicate when the color changing material is stretched.

SUMMARY

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “thepresent invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly toall of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below.Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit thesubject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of thepatent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patentare defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is ahigh-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introducessome of the concepts that are further described in the DetailedDescription section below. This summary is not intended to identify keyor essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intendedto be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. The subject matter should be understood by reference toappropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any orall drawings and each claim.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an article ofwear comprises a material with color changing properties comprising afirst layer, a third layer positioned below the first layer, and asecond layer positioned between the first layer and the third layer,wherein the second layer comprises a substantially translucentappearance in an unstretched condition, and a substantially opaqueappearance in a stretched condition, at least one elastic portion of thematerial comprising an unstretched colored appearance when the secondlayer is in the unstretched condition and a stretched colored appearancewhen the second layer is in the stretched condition, wherein theunstretched colored appearance is different from the stretched coloredappearance, and at least one fixed portion of the material comprising apermanently stretched condition, wherein the at least one fixed portioncomprises the stretched colored appearance regardless of a magnitude ofan external force applied to the at least one fixed portion.

In some embodiments, the first layer comprises a first coloration, andthe third layer comprises a second coloration that is different from thefirst coloration, wherein the unstretched colored appearance comprises acombination of the first coloration and the second coloration, andwherein the second coloration is concealed from the stretched coloredappearance by the second layer. The first coloration may becomplementary to the second coloration. The second layer may bepolyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane film.

In some embodiments, the at least one fixed portion is located on a shoeupper. The at least one elastic portion may be located over a toe regionof a shoe upper. In certain embodiments, the at least one elasticportion is an indicator of when a shoe comprising the shoe upper is notproperly sized for a wearer's foot. The at least one fixed portion maybe located in an area of the shoe upper where an indicator of themagnitude of the external force being applied to the at least one fixedportion in that location is not needed.

According the certain embodiments of the present invention, an articleof wear comprises a material with color changing properties comprisingat least one elastic portion comprising an unstretched coloredappearance and a stretched colored appearance, at least one fixedportion comprising the stretched colored appearance regardless of amagnitude of an external force applied to the at least one fixedportion, wherein the at least one elastic portion is positioned withinthe article of wear in a location where the at least one elastic portionis an indicator of a magnitude of an external force being applied to theat least one elastic portion in that location, and wherein the at leastone fixed portion is positioned within the article of wear in a locationwhere an indicator of the magnitude of the external force being appliedto the at least one fixed portion in that location is not needed.

In some embodiments, the unstretched colored appearance is differentfrom the stretched colored appearance. In these embodiments, at leastone fixed portion may be located on a shoe upper. According to someembodiments, the at least one elastic portion is located over a toeregion of a shoe upper. The at least one elastic portion may be anindicator of when a shoe comprising the shoe upper is not properly sizedfor a wearer's foot.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an article ofwear comprises a material with color changing properties comprising afirst layer having a first coloration, a third layer having a secondcoloration and positioned below the first layer, and a second layerpositioned between the first layer and the third layer, at least oneelastic portion of the material comprising an unstretched coloredappearance comprising a combination of the first coloration and thesecond coloration, and a stretched colored appearance that does notinclude the second coloration, wherein the at least one elastic portionis positioned within the article of wear in a location where the atleast one elastic portion is an indicator of a magnitude of an externalforce being applied to the at least one elastic portion in thatlocation, and at least one fixed portion comprising the stretchedcolored appearance regardless of a magnitude of an external forceapplied to the at least one fixed portion, wherein the at least onefixed portion is positioned within the article of wear in a locationwhere an indicator of the magnitude of the external force being appliedto the at least one fixed portion in that location is not needed.

In some embodiments, the first coloration is different from the secondcoloration. The first coloration may be complementary to the secondcoloration. In certain embodiments, the second layer is polyurethane orthermoplastic polyurethane film. The at least one fixed portion may belocated on a shoe upper. In these embodiments, the at least one elasticportion may be located over a toe region of a shoe upper. The at leastone elastic portion may be an indicator of when a shoe comprising theshoe upper is not properly sized for a wearer's foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application with color drawing(s)will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessaryfee.

In the following detailed description, embodiments of the invention aredescribed referring to the following figures:

FIG. 1 are illustrations showing an elastic portion of a color changingmaterial displaying an unstretched colored appearance and a stretchedcolored appearance, respectively, according to certain embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic demonstrating the translucent appearance of thesecond layer of the color changing material of FIG. 1 when the materialis unstretched, wherein the unstretched colored appearance is acombination of the coloration of the first layer and the coloration ofthe third layer.

FIG. 2B is a schematic demonstrating the opaque appearance of the secondlayer of the color changing material of FIG. 1 when the material isstretched, wherein the stretched colored appearance omits the colorationof the third layer.

FIG. 3 is an image of the color changing material of FIG. 1 with atleast one elastic portion displaying a stretched colored appearance,another elastic portion displaying an unstretched colored appearance,and at least one fixed portion displaying a stretched coloredappearance.

FIG. 4 is another image of the color changing material of FIG. 1 withelastic portions displaying an unstretched colored appearance and fixedportions displaying a stretched colored appearance and shaped to conformto portions of a shoe upper.

FIG. 5 is an image of a shoe comprising the color changing material ofFIG. 1, with elastic portions displaying an unstretched coloredappearance and fixed portions displaying a stretched colored appearanceand shaped to conform to portions of a shoe upper.

FIG. 6 are additional images of a shoe comprising the color changingmaterial of FIG. 1, with elastic portions displaying an unstretchedcolored appearance and fixed portions displaying a stretched coloredappearance and shaped to conform to portions of a shoe upper.

FIG. 7 is an image of an article of wear comprising bands formed fromthe color changing material of FIG. 1, with elastic portions displayingan unstretched colored appearance.

FIG. 8 is an image of the article of wear of FIG. 7, with elasticportions displaying a stretched colored appearance.

FIG. 9 is an image of an article of wear comprising bands formed fromthe color changing material of FIG. 1, with elastic portions displayingan unstretched colored appearance.

FIG. 10 is an image of the article of wear of FIG. 9, with elasticportions displaying a stretched colored appearance.

FIG. 11 is an image of the article of wear of FIG. 9, with certainelastic portions displaying an unstretched colored appearance, and otherelastic portions displaying a stretched colored appearance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is describedhere with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but thisdescription is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of theclaims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, mayinclude different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction withother existing or future technologies. This description should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among orbetween various steps or elements except when the order of individualsteps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, asillustrated in FIGS. 1-11, apparel, footwear, sports equipment, andaccessories (“articles of wear 10”) or components thereof are formedfrom a color changing material 12. In certain embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 2A-2B, the material 12 comprises at least a first layer 14, asecond layer 16, and a third layer 18. However, a person of ordinaryskill in the relevant art will understand that the material 12 maycomprise more or less layers as needed or desired to achieve the desiredproperties of the material 12.

In certain embodiments, the first layer 14 comprises a stretchablematerial, which may include but is not limited to polyurethane (“PU”) orthermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”) films, paint, dye, rubber, or othersuitable materials. The material that comprises the first layer 14 mayinclude a first coloration, which may be any suitable color includingbut not limited to any color within the ultraviolet, visible, andinfrared light spectrum.

In certain embodiments, the second layer 16 also comprises a stretchablematerial, which may include but is not limited to PU or TPU films. Thesecond layer 16 comprises a substantially translucent appearance thatbecomes increasingly opaque as increasingly higher magnitudes ofstretching forces are applied until the second layer 16 becomessubstantially opaque. In other words, the degree of opacity of thesecond layer 16 is related to the magnitude of stretching force appliedto the second layer 16 until second layer 16 reaches a substantiallyopaque appearance, and this property is best illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B.

In certain embodiments, the third layer 18 comprises a stretchablematerial, which may include but is not limited to PU or TPU films,paint, dye, rubber, or other suitable materials. The material thatcomprises the third layer 18 may include a second coloration, which maybe any suitable color including but not limited to any color within theultraviolet, visible, and infrared light spectrum. In certain cases, itmay be desirable to have the third layer 18 include a coloration that isdifferent from the coloration of the first layer 14.

In certain embodiments, the colors of the first layer 14 and the thirdlayer 18 are chosen as complimentary colors which, when combined in theright proportions, produce a desired third color. Examples of such colorcombinations may be based on subtractive colors, such as the traditionalprimary/secondary color pairs of red-green, yellow-violet, andblue-orange, or may be based on additive colors, such as the RGB colormodel where the complementary pairs are red-cyan, green-magenta, andblue-yellow. Other color combinations may include yellow-black,yellow-red, red-blue, metallic, glow in the dark, and reflectivecombinations.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the material12 comprises an “unstretched condition” and a “stretched condition.” Thematerial 12 is in the “unstretched condition” so long as the secondlayer 16 remains in substantially translucent. The material 12 is in the“stretched condition” when a stretching force of a sufficiently largemagnitude is applied to the material 12 so that the second layer 16 issubstantially opaque. In certain embodiments, the material 12 may reachthe “stretched condition” when the material 12 has been stretched toapproximately 10% of its total potential stretchability. However, aperson of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that the“stretched condition” may be achieved when the material 12 has beenstretched to any desirable amount of the total potential stretchabilityof the material 12.

In certain embodiments, the transition between the unstretched conditionand the stretched condition of the material 12 results in a change inthe colored appearance of the material 12. For example, as illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2A, the material 12 displays an “unstretched coloredappearance” when the material 12 is in the unstretched condition. Incontrast, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2B, the material 12 displays a“stretched colored appearance” when the material 12 is in the stretchedcondition.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 7-11, the first layer14 may have a yellow coloration, and the third layer 18 may have a blackcoloration. When the material 12 is in the unstretched condition, thesecond layer 16 is substantially translucent. As a result, the material12 has a green appearance because the unstretched colored appearance isa combination of the yellow first layer 14 and the black third layer 18(which is visible through the substantially translucent second layer16), as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A.

In contrast, when the material 12 is in the stretched condition, thesecond layer 16 is substantially opaque. As a result, the material 12has a yellow appearance because the stretched colored appearance isbased on the yellow first layer 14 and the substantially opaque secondlayer 16 (because the black third layer 18 is substantially concealed bythe second layer 16).

A person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that thefirst layer 14, the second layer 16, and/or the third layer 18 may becoupled to one another via any suitable method including but not limitedto laminating, adhering, bonding, silk screening, roller forming, vacuumforming, or any other suitable mechanical, chemical, or heat treatmentmethod.

According to some embodiments, the fourth layer 20 comprises a bondingmaterial that may allow the material 12 to be laminated or otherwisecoupled to other materials. The bonding material may include but is notlimited to a hot melt material or an adhesive layer.

According to some embodiments, the fifth layer 22 comprises a backingmaterial that may allow the material 12 to be laminated or otherwisecoupled to other materials. The backing material 22 may include but isnot limited to leather, synthetic leather, PU, TPU, rubber, fabric,nylon, or any other suitable material for the desired application.

In certain embodiments, the total thickness of the material 12 comprisesapproximately 0.3-0.5 mm, but may range from 0.1 to 1.5 mm. In theseembodiments, the third layer 18 comprises approximately 0.1 mm, but mayrange from 0.05 to 0.3 mm. In some embodiments, the total thickness ofthe material 12 cannot be too thick or it will become too resistant tostretching. In contrast, the total thickness of the material 12 cannotbe too thin or it will become too weak and easily broken, and may appeartransparent even when stretched.

In certain embodiments, the material 12 may comprise at least oneelastic portion 24. In these embodiments, the elastic portion 24comprises the unstretched and stretched conditions, as described above.When the elastic portion 24 is in the stretched condition and thestretching force is removed, the elastic portion 24 is configured toreturn to the unstretched condition due to its elastic properties.

In certain embodiments, the material 12 may further comprise at leastone fixed portion 26. In these embodiments, the fixed portion 26 may atleast initially comprise the unstretched condition and the stretchedcondition, as described above. However, the fixed portion 26 may betreated so that when the fixed portion 26 is in the stretched conditionand the stretching force is removed, the fixed portion 26 is configuredto remain in the stretched condition, also known as a “permanentlystretched condition.”

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the fixed portion 26 issubjected to a molding or vacuum forming process while in the stretchedcondition. As a result, when the molding or vacuum forming process iscomplete, the fixed portion 26 has been transformed into the permanentlystretched condition so that the fixed portion 26 displays the stretchedcolored appearance, as described above, regardless of the magnitude ofexternal force applied to the fixed portion 26.

In certain embodiments, the material 12 may be treated with thetwo-dimensional vacuum forming process and/or the three-dimensionalvacuum forming process described in “Methods of Vacuum Forming Articlesof Wear,” filed by Tiberiu Iovu, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/540,451,filed on Nov. 13, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinin its entirety by this reference.

In certain embodiments, as best illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the material12 may be used in articles of wear 10 so as to include the elasticportion 24 in a toe region where a wearer's toes may press against aninterior surface of the article of wear 10 that is too small so as toprovide a color changing effect in that location. For example, in theseembodiments, the material 12 may be used as an indicator of the degreeof stretch being applied in that location so that parents are alertedwhen a child's toes are cramped in the toe area of the shoe and/or sothat any wearer may be aware that they are wearing article of wear 10that are not properly sized for the wearer's foot. The fixed portion 26may be included for aesthetic reasons in areas of the article of wear 10that do not receive a stretching force of a sufficiently large magnitudeto transition the material 12 to the stretched condition during normaluse. The fixed portion 26 may also be included for aesthetic reasons inareas of the article of wear 10 where an indication of the degree ofstretch is not needed or desirable, such as along the sides or back of ashoe upper, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6.

The material 12 may also provide a color changing effect to sportsequipment, shoes, or apparel for a short duration, as illustrated inFIGS. 7-11. The result is a surface treatment that changes to thestretched colored appearance when in the stretched condition and thenreturns to its unstretched colored appearance once the stretching forceis removed.

In certain embodiments, the technology may be included with certainapparel items so that when the material 12 is stretched until it reachesthe stretched condition, it changes color to the stretched coloredappearance and then reverts back to the unstretched colored appearanceonce the stretching force is removed. This design provides a verydynamic effect and may be tuned to provide an indication of how far thegarment was stretched (i.e., the color change from the unstretchedcolored appearance to the stretched colored appearance is gradual sothat the degree of color change may be correlated to the degree of forceapplied to the garment).

When used in conjunction with a material 12 with known elasticproperties, one may use a color coding chart to adjust the amount ofpressure (or tension) applied to a certain body segment (e.g., whenapplying medical stretch tape (used in rehabilitation and injuryprevention)) so that it does not exceed a predetermined safe pressurelimit.

This visual indicator may also be used to indicate how well a garmentfits. Because of the dynamic nature of the material 12, an athlete maybe filmed in motion while wearing the apparel and studied to see howmuch color change is visible in the material 12 during dynamic motions.The amount of color change may indicate that a garment is toorestrictive or too loose in certain areas and this information may thenbe used to custom tailor an article.

In certain embodiments, the material 12 is used with articles of wear 10to give fans a better indication of how fast an athlete is moving. Forexample, soccer players are beginning to wear jerseys with stretchmembranes during games. Membranes incorporating the material 12 may givespectators and coaches a visual indication if a player is just lightlyjogging (where there might be minimal color change) or if the player isin an all-out sprint for the ball (where the color change could be verydramatic based on the greater extension of the limbs).

In certain electronic training programs, colored zones are currentlyused to describe effort. For example, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.8,200,323, FIG. 8, at a slow jog, a runner's heart rate or pace isdescribed as being in the blue zone, a stronger effort in the green zoneup to the aerobic threshold, then the yellow zone in the anaerobic zone,and lastly red, which represents maximum effort. In certain embodiments,apparel, footwear, and accessory products (i.e., articles of wear 10)may incorporate the material 12 to mimic this color change scheme sothat as a runner is increasing effort, some or all of the articles ofwear 10 change color to mimic the color zones and also to indicate toother runners the rapidity of their pace.

As described above, the fixed portions 26 of the material 12 may beprovided in other locations of any of the above articles of wear 10 soas to provide an aesthetically pleasing look in areas where an indicatorof the degree of stretch is not relevant or desirable.

In the following, further examples are described to facilitate theunderstanding of the invention:

-   -   1. An article of wear comprising        -   a material with color changing properties comprising:            -   a first layer;            -   a third layer positioned below the first layer; and            -   a second layer positioned between the first layer and                the third layer, wherein the second layer comprises a                substantially translucent appearance in an unstretched                condition, and a substantially opaque appearance in a                stretched condition;        -   at least one elastic portion of the material comprising an            unstretched colored appearance when the second layer is in            the unstretched condition and a stretched colored appearance            when the second layer is in the stretched condition, wherein            the unstretched colored appearance is different from the            stretched colored appearance; and        -   at least one fixed portion of the material comprising a            permanently stretched condition, wherein the at least one            fixed portion comprises the stretched colored appearance            regardless of a magnitude of an external force applied to            the at least one fixed portion.    -   2. The article of wear of example 1, wherein the first layer        comprises a first coloration, and the third layer comprises a        second coloration that is different from the first coloration,        -   wherein the unstretched colored appearance comprises a            combination of the first coloration and the second            coloration, and        -   wherein the second coloration is concealed from the            stretched colored appearance by the second layer.    -   3. The article of wear of example 2, wherein the first        coloration is complementary to the second coloration.    -   4. The article of wear of any preceding example, wherein the        second layer is polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane film.    -   5. The article of wear of any preceding example, wherein the at        least one fixed portion is located on a shoe upper.    -   6. The article of wear of any preceding example, wherein the at        least one elastic portion is located over a toe region of a shoe        upper.    -   7. The article of wear of example 6, wherein the at least one        elastic portion is an indicator of when a shoe comprising the        shoe upper is not properly sized for a wearer's foot.    -   8. The article of wear of example 7, wherein the at least one        fixed portion is located in an area of the shoe upper where an        indicator of the magnitude of the external force being applied        to the at least one fixed portion in that location is not        needed.    -   9. An article of wear comprising:        -   a material with color changing properties comprising:            -   at least one elastic portion comprising an unstretched                colored appearance and a stretched colored appearance;            -   at least one fixed portion comprising the stretched                colored appearance regardless of a magnitude of an                external force applied to the at least one fixed                portion;        -   wherein the at least one elastic portion is positioned            within the article of wear in a location where the at least            one elastic portion is an indicator of a magnitude of an            external force being applied to the at least one elastic            portion in that location; and        -   wherein the at least one fixed portion is positioned within            the article of wear in a location where an indicator of the            magnitude of the external force being applied to the at            least one fixed portion in that location is not needed.    -   10. The article of wear of example 9, wherein the unstretched        colored appearance is different from the stretched colored        appearance.    -   11. The article of wear of example 9 or 10, wherein the at least        one fixed portion is located on a shoe upper.    -   12. The article of wear of any of examples 9-11, wherein the at        least one elastic portion is located over a toe region of a shoe        upper.    -   13. The article of wear of any of examples 9-12, wherein the at        least one elastic portion is an indicator of when a shoe        comprising the shoe upper is not properly sized for a wearer's        foot.    -   14. An article of wear comprising:        -   a material with color changing properties comprising:            -   a first layer having a first coloration;            -   a third layer having a second coloration and positioned                below the first layer; and            -   a second layer positioned between the first layer and                the third layer;        -   at least one elastic portion of the material comprising            -   an unstretched colored appearance comprising a                combination of the first coloration and the second                coloration; and            -   a stretched colored appearance that does not include the                second coloration;            -   wherein the at least one elastic portion is positioned                within the article of wear in a location where the at                least one elastic portion is an indicator of a magnitude                of an external force being applied to the at least one                elastic portion in that location; and        -   at least one fixed portion comprising the stretched colored            appearance regardless of a magnitude of an external force            applied to the at least one fixed portion;            -   wherein the at least one fixed portion is positioned                within the article of wear in a location where an                indicator of the magnitude of the external force being                applied to the at least one fixed portion in that                location is not needed.    -   15. The article of wear of example 14, wherein the first        coloration is different from the second coloration.    -   16. The article of wear of example 14 or 15, wherein the first        coloration is complementary to the second coloration.    -   17. The article of wear of any of examples 14-16, wherein the        second layer is polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane film.    -   18. The article of wear of any of examples 14-17, wherein the at        least one fixed portion is located on a shoe upper.    -   19. The article of wear of any of examples 14-18, wherein the at        least one elastic portion is located over a toe region of a shoe        upper.    -   20. The article of wear of any of examples 14-19, wherein the at        least one elastic portion is an indicator of when a shoe        comprising the shoe upper is not properly sized for a wearer's        foot.

Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings ordescribed above, as well as components and steps not shown or describedare possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are usefuland may be employed without reference to other features andsub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described forillustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodimentswill become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the presentinvention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depictedin the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims below.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A panel of a shoe, the panel comprising: a material with color changing properties comprising: a first layer; a third layer positioned below the first layer; and a second layer positioned between the first layer and the third layer, wherein the second layer comprises a substantially translucent appearance in an unstretched condition, and a substantially opaque appearance in a stretched condition; at least one elastic portion of the material comprising an unstretched colored appearance when the second layer is in the unstretched condition and a stretched colored appearance when the second layer is in the stretched condition, wherein the unstretched colored appearance is different from the stretched colored appearance; and at least one fixed portion of the material comprising a permanently stretched condition, wherein the at least one fixed portion comprises the stretched colored appearance regardless of a magnitude of an external force applied to the at least one fixed portion, wherein: the first, second, and third layers extend across an entire surface of the panel such that the first layer is an outermost layer of the panel; and a change from the unstretched colored appearance to the stretched colored appearance occurs locally at a location of stretching of the at least one elastic portion. 